Assignment Photography and Syndication

Gallerist

Categories

This entire site ⓒ 2005-2011 The Sartorialist.
All of the photographs herein, unless otherwise noted, are copyrighted by the photographer. No part of this site, or any of the content contained herein, may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without express permission of the copyright holder(s).

Tuesday, August 04, 2009

Italian Denim

As Americans we treat our denim shirts almost like jackets or overshirts. We wear them open over swimsuits or big and loose with shorts. Nothing wrong with that, and J. Crew is making a killing on that idea right now. However, the other way of working denim is the Italian way - super slim sexy denim shirts. They are almost always darted or seamed and worn with that Italian flair that reads formal and casual at the same time. I'm not saying which version is better, but just highlighting options.

Very crazy that you mentioned this b/c I'm actually wearing a denim shirt w/ red/navy knit tie, skinny jeans and tan loafers. Its awesome how many different ways and how versatile this item can be for males. Eat your heart out ladies!!

Like almost everything the way to wear depends on the mood, flair, body type etc and all can be done with style. None the less I consider this way a more sleek, tailored way, I have a denim shirt that i just started re-using because i used to feel denim shirts looked too 90's, this makes me think I'm on the right path.

I agree with you Sartorialist so much! I actually prefer it the Italian way much more than the layered American way and I think that is just my Italian side kicking in to my sense of style. I love the first picture so much! I love your work and plan to attend your book signing tour because I am buying the book! check out my trendy blog!http://thetrendydwarf.blogspot.com/

Great Gatsby! I like the first shirt with the extra pocket. HMMMMM wonder if I could pull this off too....

Anonymous said ... (6:51 PM) :

sorry to be anal retentive, scott, but those shirts aren't denim. they are chambray. you can tell because when the sleeves are rolled, the inside of the material is just as dark as the outside, unlike denim which is often darker on the outside. also chambray is much lighter. still a good look though. cheers.

love how the first guy has his pants just short enough so we can all see his killer sneaks. <3

Anonymous said ... (6:56 PM) :

you're so right about the size of denim shirts, i recently bought a chambray shirt at j. crew and had it altered to be more fitted. It looks a millions times better.

Anonymous said ... (6:56 PM) :

Both of these men have considered outfits however, I don't think that I am on board with the chambray shirt with khaki chinos. nope, I'm afraid it is almost irritating for me. It's like a cowboy and a dock worker had a fight. nope.

That said, the pieces are smartly fitting.

Anonymous said ... (6:59 PM) :

please can you put me in contact with italian boy #2. he would work well as my very own accessory...

Guys shouldn't wear cropped pants.. no matter how good looking or great their style is. Just my opinion.

Anonymous said ... (9:03 PM) :

The thing is that Italians are delicate. I'm a woman and a size 0-2 (but tallish) in North America, and I recently had a huge laugh whilst buying a Giro d'Italia cycling jersey in Italy. My friend, an Italian man and fellow cyclist, stopped me when I pulled the (men's) XS shirt off the shelf. "Italian small is not the same as your small." (Of course I know my own size and the shirt fit). Still, it highlights a point: both the men and women tend to be fine-boned and baggy shirts (clothes, really), often look silly on such people (especially men). And of course there's always the plain fact that...Italian men are yummy beyond belief. :) These pics are making me swoon...

I couldn't disagree more about the very american denim shirt. Have we forgotten Cool Hand Luke? The cowboy? Maybe you should visit cities in America besides NYC and you would see a lot of Americans wearing denim shirts in the "Italian way".

The first guy is J.Crew, 100% (well, maybe button up one more on his shirt, and we're there). The rolled khakis and sleeves, canvas shoes... The concept of what J.Crew WANTS to do with chambray shirting is exactly what these Italians are doing. In fact, much of their styling with these shirts is combining them with a sportcoat. However, as the above gentleman commented, they've not really gotten the proper sizing down. I'm not sure how people are wearing their chambray from J.Crew, but I can tell you that this is what they're going for. Look no further than the men's shop for proof.

Both of them look lovely. Very handsome. But the 2nd man won me over with the turquoise bracelets. I rarely see men with hand accessories other than the obvious watch.

robbie said ... (12:18 AM) :

gawsh,

i don't dig the way they are wearing the denim at all. So mamby pamby and European.

The Italians make bikes look cool, and scooters, and they make a damn good suit... but denim, thats American you can't femme it all up and tuck it in and don a scarf; a bandana maybe if it is some b western or you've stumbled into the 1800's otherwise EWW.

I like these looks a lot. I think I would urge caution to the gents eager to try the look; just as with jean pants the wash and cut of the shirt is the difference between classy and strange. Or heck wing it, often strange and brilliance go hand and hand.

Well said,I think these shirt/pants combos look great on these particular guys. The latter with turquoise bracelet looks more "put together" but perfectly relaxed, all the same. What a perfect fit!, I like the rolled up pants and sneakers on the first one, too..

Anonymous said ... (8:21 AM) :

Does anyone know where the shirt the first guy is wearing is from, what brand? It looks fantastic

I especially like the first one. So effortless and cool, yet stylish. Love the rolled up pants and sneakers, makes me think maybe he took his lunch at the beach and dipped his toes in before heading back to work.

I love it! I retired my old oversized early 90s denim shirts years ago. I recently bought a very tailored one that I pair with a crisp pleated white skirt and heels or with my suits. I love the contrast of casual/rugged with the formality of silks and linens. Perfect summa time.

Jane (Melbourne) said ... (9:21 AM) :

Ouch! The worst part about this is that they are in Italy and I am in Australia. I wanna touch! Pic 1 is blessedly gorgeous in an "I want to ruffle up your hair even more kind of way". I'd like to undo Pi2 2's top button and loosen his scarf... ah that's better. Now where were we...

Yeah, these definitely aren't denim; they are chambray. I have this debate with the BF quite often, until a gentlemen working at the J. Crew Liquor Store in NYC finally settled our debate: they are in fact two distinct fabrics.

I still wear my chambray pieces especially with turquoise jewelry...some are 20yrs. old... and I'm a girl...I'm betting on the fact that it will become a fashion "TREND" once again:) I guess I need to start shopping my closet

very true. I love the classic americana feel of a totally casual denim shirt; it just epitomizes complete relaxation and wear-anything confidence. I rock a really oversized one all the time. but this MO is something I NEVER see down in atlanta and it is refreshing and fantastic...and STILL relaxed. classic in the way only an italian man can be.

i really like the details like his belt, his "scarf" and his bracelet... i think it's a perfect outfit..

An said ... (11:25 AM) :

The second look is definitely the better. In the first, the shirt is open a couple buttons too many, and the pants are cuffed too high, which conveys almost a mason-ly, I-just-finished-painting-someone's-house attitude.In the second, the man is not only clean-shaven, but the neckerchief adds a certain class. Also the pants are more structured, and the turquoise bracelets are just plain accessories. Plus, the man is good-looking, which helps infinitely.Is it just me, or does he look a bit like Robert Downey Jr.?

The whole slim denim shirt/chino thing is very Ralph Lauren...right down to the turqoise beacelet

Anonymous said ... (10:13 AM) :

You like it or not like it but...I am trying to be a bit objective here, you can't pull it off the so-called "Italian style" if you are even just a little bit not so slender. With the risk of sweeping generalization, the style fits the Italian/European physique much more than that of Americans.

Anonymous said ... (7:32 AM) :

the first guy is uber cool!

Anonymous said ... (8:08 AM) :

Pulled this off during the Spring in NY but the " american " way ... and funny thing is Ive been thinking bout getting the shirt tailored to be more fitted for the fall ..... thanks for the visual